26/01/2026
Modern humans’ teeth versus ancient humans’ teeth !!
Modern diets are shrinking our jaws and causing horrific teeth teeth issues that our ancestors never faced.
New research from University College Dublin reveals that the modern struggle with crooked teeth and impacted wisdom teeth is a relatively recent phenomenon in human history.
For thousands of years, our hunter-gatherer ancestors possessed wide, robust jaws that comfortably accommodated a full set of teeth without the need for orthodontic intervention.
By analyzing prehistoric skeletal remains, researchers found that malocclusion—the misalignment of teeth—was remarkably rare compared to the dental issues facing society today, highlighting a significant shift in human craniofacial development linked to our changing environment.
The secret to these ancient, perfect smiles lies in the mechanical stress of a prehistoric diet. Hunter-gatherers consumed tough, fibrous foods that required vigorous chewing, a physical process that stimulated jawbone growth and ensured proper dental alignment. As humans transitioned to the soft, processed foods characteristic of modern life, the lack of chewing intensity led to smaller, narrower jaw structures that haven't kept pace with the size of our teeth. This evolutionary mismatch explains why dental crowding has become a global norm, as our mouths are essentially shrinking while our teeth remain the same size.
source: Pinhasi, R., Eshed, V., & von Cramon-Taubadel, N.. Incongruity between affinity patterns based on mandibular and lower dental dimensions following the transition to agriculture in the Near East, Anatolia and Europe. PLoS ONE.
